Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani broke Paris Saint-Germain’s all-time scoring record with his 157th goal in all competitions as Ligue 1 leaders crushed Montpellier 4-0 at home on Saturday.
PSG boasted the best attack in the French top-flight league with 68 goals from 22 matches prior to Saturday’s duel. Their opponents, however, only conceded 15 goals so far, and restrained PSG to a goalless draw in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
Cavani, who tied Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s record of 156 goals 10 days ago, didn’t waste another chance of breaking it, as he coolly converted Adrien Rabiot’s cutback cross in the 11th minute to his 21st league goal of the campaign.
Cavani was booked a yellow card for throwing his jersey to the crowds when celebrating the goal.
Brazilian star Neymar, who returned from a thigh injury, scored the team’s 2000th goal at the Parc des Princes with a spot kick in the 40th minute.
PSG’s attack was not finished then, as winger Angel Di Maria turned in Thomas Meunier’s cross from the right flank for a three-goal advantage, before Neymar had a comfortable finish on Cavani’s cross with eight minutes remaining.
Cavani thanked fans in the stadium after receiving a trophy for his achievement from the club’s president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
PSG provisionally moved 11 points clear of Lyon, who will visit Bordeaux on Sunday.
The 10-man Nice were shocked by the bottom side Metz 2-1, and had to see themselves three points adrift of fifth-ranked Nantes, who eased past Guingamp 3-0.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Angers beat Amiens 1-0, Saint-Etienne overcame Caen 2-1, and relegation-threatened sides Toulouse saw off Troyes 1-0.
Third-placed Marseille will host their followers Monaco on Sunday.